Zapala to 74 k South Malargue Day 48 Jan 27 14

 

Antonio returned with his bike repaired before I departed….he has a new tube and tire……still 2 missing spokes……I expect he will pass me on the road as his bike is faster than mine……..

The scenery was more of the same…..flat…pampa lands and mountains in the distance…… I would find the foothills before night……around Las Lajas, I fill up with fuel ,buy more water and a sandwich for lunch later…here I meet an Argentinean couple….though we don’t speak each other’ language they show me the trips they have taken around South America…they have them printed on their T Shirts including their current 2014 trip…we exchange Blog Spots…do a photo and bid one another Chow and go off in different directions.  I would run out of fuel late afternoon and  almost consume all of the extra I was carrying before finding an out of the way station where I spent 130 pesos……but I now had peace of mind……..soon I ran into Repo ( Gravel ) for 80k or more……I would have to retire for the night as it got dark before I could cross……..did meet 2 fellows on bicycles crossing this stretch and one motto heading for Ushuaia…..again an exchange in each others languages as to how much repo we had to cover…a handshake and we were off…..    it’s getting on into the evening…I need a place to camp….secluded…would be almost dark before I halted.